Data card with a full circular track for alignment and amplitude calibration

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses a flat data storage medium that includes a plurality of substantially parallel data arc-segments. The data arcs further include at least one full circle data track provided for obtaining a measurement of an average amplitude of data signals over the full circle data track for calibrating a pickup head implemented for reading data from the data arc-segments. This invention further discloses a data storage system for accessing data stored in a data storage medium. The data storage system includes dynamic head loading/unloading system that includes a handle for pushing a linkage connected to the handle for loading and unloading the data storage medium to an engaged and disengaged positions relative to a pickup head for accessing data disposed on the data storage medium. The dynamic head loading/unloading system further includes a locking means for automatically locking the data storage medium inside the data storage system when the linkage is disposed at an engaged-position. The dynamic head loading/unloading system further includes a data-storage medium orientation-selection means for cooperating and adapting the data storage medium inside the data storage system only when the data storage medium is inserted into the data storage system in a predefined orientation.

[0001] This Application is a Continuation-in-Part Application (CIP) of apreviously filed Provisional Application No. 60/081,257 filed on Apr. 9,1998 and a Formal application Ser. No. 09/289,427 with an attorneydocket number DCARD-9907 filed on Apr. 9, 1999, by one of a commoninventors of this Patent Application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to systems and method forreading data from and writing data to data storage medium by employingthe magnetic or optical recording technology. More particularly, thisinvention is related to a data card provided with at least one fullcircle data track among a group of data arc segments for card positionalignment and signal amplitude calibration.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] For a data card formed with multiple data arc segments, there isa need to determine the central axis of the data card to preciselyposition the data card for reading and writing data. As the data cardhas multiple arc segments, a more complex algorithm must be appliedusing a set of data obtained by reading data from multiple arc segmentsfor the purpose of determining a central axis. The process is lessefficient and may be time consuming thus preventing the operations ofreading data from or writing data to the data card in a timely manner.In addition to the need to determine the central axis of the data card,it is also required to calibrate the data signals read from the dataarcs because there are variations between different cards. For suchcalibration, an average-amplitude of the data signals as a magnetic oroptical pickup head scan over the data arcs must be calculated. Theaverage signal amplitude determined from measurements of multiple datapoints are generally required for such determination. Again, for a datacard that has multiple data arcs, such calibration process may requireddata signals from multiple data arcs and thus would be less efficientand taking up longer times and slowing down the initialization of datareading and writing operations. Due to these reasons, less efficientoperation and slower initialization may often be encountered whenregular data card formed with multiple parallel data arcs areimplemented.

[0006] The rotational head data recording and retrieving system as thatdisclosed in a co-pending Patent Application is implemented to resolvethe difficulties of the conventional technology. Specifically, inconventional data storage systems, the reading and writing of data areperformed on concentric circular data tracks. The concentric data trackconfiguration often presents a problem that the data-bit density variesbetween the outer tracks and the inner tracks. The variable bit densityin data storage is due to a geometrical factor that the outer datatracks are much longer in length than the inner tracks. A commonpractice is to form the inner tracks with a capacity to store the databit at a higher bit density. A more complicate servo control systemimplemented with more complex signal-processing algorithms is requireddue to the variations of data storage density between different datatracks. Additionally, by varying the data storage density from the innertracks toward the outside tracks, the data transfer rate is also changedin accessing data from the inner tracks then outside tracks. Suchvariation may also cause difficulties and complications in processingthe data. Higher error rates may incur due to these variations betweenthe inner tracks and the outer tracks.

[0007] There have been designs using pickup head with oscillating arm toprescribe multiple parallel data arcs at a flat data media and aconstant data recording density for easier data access arrangement.There are also designs to use single or multiple rotating head pairs toprescribe multiple data arc segments on a circular track and/or on suchmultiple parallel track arrangements. All such designs required eitherpickup head with oscillating arm or head pairs configuration. All priorart designs also require that the flat media to be statically positionedto signal pickup heads once the flat media is engaged or inserted to thedevice.

[0008] An invention implemented with a rotational-head for datarecording and retrieving as that disclosed in a co-pending PatentApplication is able to resolve the above described difficulties ofuneven data storage densities. However, the inefficiency andcomplexities of the operations to position the card and to calibrate thesignal amplitude still present as technical difficulties to those ofordinary skill in the art yet to be resolved.

[0009] Therefore, a need still exists for an improved data-card operatedwith new configuration and method to overcome the technical difficultiesas described above. Specifically, the storage card drive system shallprovide a uniform density for data storage. Also, the data card shouldalso provide a data tack configuration to conveniently determine acentral axis of the data card and to measure the average signalamplitude for signal calibration. Furthermore, it would be desirable tokeep the system portable and be provided with several standardized sizesfor processing standardized data-storage cards.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide adata storage-card drive system with single pickup head moving above thedata-storage card in rotational movement. The data read-write functionsare enabled only for arc-segments of the rotational movement guided byservo data written to servo sectors on the data arc with proper offsets.Also, the data tracks are arranged as plurality of parallel arcs, e.g.,half-circles. At least one special full circle data track is providedfor conveniently determining a central axis of the data card and forobtaining a measurement of average amplitude such that the abovementioned difficulties and limitations encountered in a regular datacard can be overcome.

[0011] Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to providea data-storage card drive system with single pickup head driven by amotor, e.g., a brushless motor, to rotate over the data-storage cardwith the rotation axis perpendicular to the card surface. The motor ismounted on a carriage for making horizontal movement along alongitudinal direction of the data card. An X-Y table is provided tomove and position the card on the center relative to the rotation of thepickup head. The data card is formed with at least one full circle datatrack for conveniently centering the data card and to obtain averagesignal amplitude for calibrating the amplitude of the signal read fromthe data card. The present invention also provides a solution todynamically engage the flat media and signal pickup head.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide adata-storage card drive system for performing the data access tasks overa data storage medium surface, which has uniform data storage density. Anew configuration of data-tracks formed as parallel arc or arc-segments,e.g., semi-circular data track, is implemented such that all data trackshave substantially the same length for data storage and the data bitsare stored with uniform density. In the meantime, at least one fullcircle data track is formed on the data card for enabling efficientoperations of positioning the data card and obtaining a measurement ofaverage signal amplitude for signal calibration.

[0013] Briefly, in a preferred embodiment, the present inventiondiscloses a data card that has a plurality of substantially paralleldata arcs disposed on a flat data storage medium. The data arcs furtherinclude at least one full circle data track provided with data forconveniently determining a central position of the data card in a datadrive system. The data stored in the full circle data track can also beconveniently used to obtain a measurement of average signal amplitude tocalibrate the signal measurements from the data card.

[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art afterhaving read the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment which is illustrated in the various drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIGS. 1A and 1B shows a cross sectional view and a top viewrespectively of a data card drive system of this invention;

[0016]FIGS. 1C and 1D are cross sectional views for showing the detailsof the motor rack mounting and the head loading/unloading assembly;

[0017]FIG. 1E shows a perspective view of the pickup head and the wireswinding configuration serving as read/write data signal transformer;

[0018]FIGS. 1F and 1G show the top view and cross sectional viewrespectively of a magnetic or optical servo writer of this invention;

[0019]FIGS. 2A to 2C are respectively a top view, a cross sectional viewand a bottom view of a data storage card with data tracks formed forstoring bits with uniform density in each of these data tracks;

[0020]FIGS. 2D to 2Q show the top views of the data storage card of thisinvention where the data tracks can be arranged in arc-segments ofdifferent shapes, sizes, and facing different directions;

[0021]FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a cross sectional viewrespectively of a data card storage box;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a subsystem of thisinvention includes a data card drive device of FIGS. 1A to 1C forreading/writing data storage card of FIGS. 2A to 2C;

[0023]FIGS. 5A and 5B show the data tracks on a magnetic or optical datacard with data tracks for writing servo data thereon;

[0024]FIG. 5C shows an exemplary pattern of servo data written onto adata track;

[0025]FIG. 5D shows the position indexes for servo control;

[0026]FIG. 5E is a functional block diagram to illustrate the controllogic implementation of a servo writer of this invention;

[0027]FIG. 6 the top views of the data storage card of this inventionwhere one of the data tracks is arranged as a full circle data trackamong a group of data arcs for centering the data card and data signalcalibration;

[0028]FIGS. 7A and 7B are a top and side cross sectional views of alocking mechanism for locking a handle to prevent movement of a datacard when the pickup head is moving and the handle also activates a cammechanism to engage/disengage the signal pickup head to and from thedata card;

[0029]FIG. 8A is a side cross sectional view of a spring lock to preventthe insertion of card in wrong direction;

[0030]FIG. 8B is a top view of a card with a cutoff corner to operatewith the spring lock of FIG. 8A for inserting into the card reader whenthe card with the cutoff corner is correctly inserted;

[0031]FIG. 9A is a functional block diagram of a card reader/writersystem of this invention; and

[0032]FIG. 9B shows the back side panel of a care reader/writer providedwith different interfaces for parallel, serial and universal system(USB) connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033]FIGS. 1A and 1B show a cross sectional view and a top viewrespectively of a data-card drive 100 of the present invention. Thedata-card drive 100 can be configured for reading and writing data-cardsof different sizes, e.g., a PCMCIA type card or common credit card size.The data-card can also be of different shapes such as a square, arectangular, a circular disk, or a card with straight and parabolicedges or different types of arc-edges. The data-card drive 100 includesa motor 110, e.g., a DC brushless motor. The motor 110 is provided tooperate at a low speed to conserve battery power, at high speeds toachieve fast data access time. The motor 110 is further provided tofunction at two different modes, i.e., a sleep mode when not beingdeployed, and a wake up mode for normal data access operations. Themotor 110 is mounted on a carriage 115 with a pickup head assemblymounted to the motor rotating shaft assembly. Half of a magnetictransformer, 120-1 which can either being a ring type, a round-disktype, or other geometrical shapes, is mounted onto the motor rotatingshaft assembly, the other half of the magnetic transformer 120-2 ofsimilar configuration is mounted to the fixed part of motor assembly.Signal wires 130 form head are soldered onto the rotating half of thetransformer 120-1 with the soldering pad 125, that can also be a springpressed connection, for transmitting the read/write signals via themagnetic transformer 120. The magnetic transformer 120-1 and thesoldering pad 125 are covered by a magnetic flux shield plate 135 forshielding the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic transformer toprevent DC erase of data. A ground spring 140 is applied to perform thefunction of dissipating electric static discharges. Optionally, abrake-magnet 145 is provided to fix the “parking” position of the motor110 in the sleep or power off mode during the time when there is no dataaccess activities.

[0034] A read/write head 150 is mounted via an extended head-arm 152 tothe brushless motor 110 via a head-arm mounting assembly mounting holes155 to the head carriage 115. A head loading/unloading arm 160 ismounted on the base-plate 170. The loading/unloading arm 160 presses tothe head-arm 152 at the unload position at a drive-device power-offmode. The loading/unloading arm 160 is removed from the head-arm 152when a data card 180 is loaded and the power for the drive device isturned on.

[0035] In order to assist a smooth loading of the data card 180 into thedrive device 100, a card guide plate 185 is provided. The data-carddrive system 100 further includes one or several data card pins 190 toengage and fix the position of the data card 180 when the data card 180reaches a designated operational position. The data card pins 190increases the compatibility and interchangeability of different types ofdata cards for data access operations using this data card drive system100. The drive system 100 further includes an on/off switch 195, whichis turned on when the data card 180 reaches its final position.

[0036] The brushless motor 110 is mounted onto a motor-rack mount 200with a rack 205 and a pinion 210. A step motor 220 is employed tocontrol the linear movement of the motor 110 or the movement of the datacard 180. The drive device 100 further includes a LCD display 230 toindicate the track position of the head 150 in reading or writing ofdata onto the data card 180. Mounted on the base plate 170 is a printedcircuit board 240, which supports a track locator switch 245. Theprinted circuit board 240 further supports various kinds of circuits forperforming the functions of control and data access. These circuitsincludes head tracking circuit 250, IC preamplifier 255, headloading/unloading circuits, disable/enable read-write function circuit,servo control integrated circuit (IC), motor control IC, data separatorIC, ADI interface IC, USB interface IC, PCMCIA interface IC, USBconnector, PCMCIA connector, and other circuits required for controllingand operating the data card drive system. FIGS. 1C and 1D are crosssectional views for showing the details of the rack 205, the pinion 210,and the head loading and unloading assembly 160 to lift the head whenthe drive device 100 is turned off. A head arm lifter 103 has a wiretype hook 103A positioned above the pickup head arm 152. The sliding ofthe head arm lifter 103 with the wire type hook 103A along the motorshaft assembly can lift or lower the pickup head arm 152 and in turnlift or lower the pickup head 150. The pickup head arm 152 is rotatingwith the motor shaft and the pickup head 150. Regardless of where thepickup head 150 when the rotational movement stops, the arm 152 canalways engage into the head lifter 103 slot and sliding the head lifter103 along the motor shaft.

[0037] The drive device 100 as described above is also provided with anoption to perform the functions of a servo writer. A novel servo writeris disclosed in this invention which can be manufactured with simplifiedmanufacturing processes. The servo writer includes a storage cardloading assembly that is structured similarly to a card guide 185 of thedevice 100. The storage card can be inserted horizontally inserted fordirect contact with the pickup head 150. Or, depending on specificapplication, the data storage card can be inserted from a vertical slotopening and then flip over for contact with the pickup head. In writingthe servo data, the pickup head 150 is rotating along different datatracks. The pickup head is moved to different tracks during theoperation of writing servo data by either moving the head/motor assemblymounted on the shaft or by keeping the head/motor assembly stationarywhile horizontally moving the data storage card. The magnetictransformer is employed in writing the servo data onto different datatracks where the cables are arranged without being twisted when thepickup head is making rotational movement.

[0038]FIGS. 1F and 1G are a top view and a cross sectional view of apreferred embodiment of a data-card servo writer system 100′, which hasa clock head 105 connected to a clock disk 107. The clock disk 107 isdisposed below the magnetic or optical data card 180 and de-coupled fromthe data card 180. The motor drives the pickup head 150 also drives theclock disk 107. The clock disk can be rotated while the clock head 105is fixed and stationary and mounted on the frame assembly of the servowriter system 100′. The clock head 105 is employed to write clocksignals, e.g., a binary bit 1 for the whole cycle. All of the data bitson the entire data track of the clock track are binary bit “1”. Then, apulse is stopped to write a binary bit “0” to provide that “0” as indexwhile using all the bit “1” for timing to format the card. Read andwrite signals of the clock head 105 is transmitted through wires to theclock disk 107 formed on a printed circuit board. The clock head 105 isemployed to write the clock signals onto the magnetic or optical clockdisk and to read back the signals. The clock signals read back from themagnetic or optical clock disk are used as timing signals to format thecard to include the servo patterns to be further described below. Oncethe magnetic or optical data-card 180 is formatted by the servo-writersystem 100′, it is ready for data read/write operations by applying aregular magnetic or optical data-card drive system as that shown inFIGS. 1A to 1E. The formatted sectors on the magnetic or opticaldata-card 180 are also write-protected to prevent incidental writingover these segments.

[0039] According to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and above descriptions, thepresent invention discloses a data-card drive system 100 the presentinvention includes a magnetic or optical data-card drive system. Thedrive system includes a magnetic or optical pickup head for rotationallymoving over and accessing data stored in the magnetic or optical datacard. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic or optical pickup head isprovided for reading data from and writing data to the magnetic oroptical data card. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic oroptical pickup head is provided for accessing data over substantiallyone-half of the rotational movement. In another preferred embodiment,the magnetic or optical pickup head is provided for accessing data overseveral arc-segments during the rotational movement. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the magnetic or optical pickup head is providedfor rotating in a single rotational direction. In another preferredembodiment, the magnetic or optical pickup head is provided for rotatingin clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In another preferredembodiment, the magnetic or optical pickup head is provided for rotatingover arc segment having radius smaller than half-width of the magneticor optical data card. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic oroptical pickup head is provided for rotating over an arc segment havinga radius greater than half-width of the magnetic or optical data card.In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic or optical pickup head isprovided as a removable and replaceable module. In another preferredembodiment, the magnetic or optical pickup head is provided foraccessing data by contacting the magnetic or optical data card. Inanother preferred embodiment, the magnetic or optical pickup head isprovided for accessing data by rotating at a distance above the magneticor optical data card. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic oroptical data-card drive system of further includes a motor that has arotating shaft for mounting and rotating the magnetic or optical pickuphead. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic or optical pickuphead further includes a data signal transformer for transforming a datasignal through data signal induced changes of magnetic flux.

[0040]FIG. 1E is a perspective view of an alternate configuration of adata signal transformer 120′. The data signal wires 130-1 connected tothe pickup head 150′ supported on the arm 152′ for the pickup head 150′are first winding around an inner signal transforming cylinder 122′,which rotates with the rotation shaft or the motor 110′. A stationaryhollow pipe 124′ is placed around the inner signal-transforming cylinder122′. A set of signal transforming wires wrap around this stationaryhollow pipe 124′. For read/write data, an electric signal representing abinary bit can be transferred from a pickup head 150′ through the wires135′ to the wires wrapping around the inner signal-transforming cylinder122′. The electric signals, typically an electric pulse, transferred tothe wires around the inner cylinder 122′ can be detected with variationsof electromagnetic field by a set of wires wrapping around thestationary hollow pipe 124′. Similarly, the data signal for the pickuphead 150′ can also be provided to the wires wrapping around thestationary hollow pipe 124′ as electric pulses and detected by the wireswrapping around the inner signal transforming cylinder 122′ for transferto the pickup head 150′. The wires around the inner and outercylindrical pipes function as inductive coils serving the function ofdata signal transformation.

[0041]FIGS. 2A to 2C are respectively a top view, a cross sectionalview, and a bottom view of a data card 180 of the present invention. Thedata card 180 is formed on a substrate plate 250. The substrate-plate250 for magnetic recording is composed of non-magnetizable materialswith a flat surface, e.g., a plastic or glass substrate plate. Formagnetic recording, a magnetizable material can also be employed to formthe substrate plate 250. The substrate plate 250 is then coated with athin layer of recording medium on one side or both sides. For magneticrecording, the coating are formed by magnetic particles coated onone-side or both sides of the substrate plate 250. The magnetic coatingcan be directly on the surface of the substrate plate 250 or on a Mylartype of material with adhesive layer for attaching to the substrateplate 250. For magnetic recording the recording medium layer can beformed by a process similar to that of a magnetic compact-disk (CD),CDR, LD, or digital video display (DVD) disks. The data card 180 can beformed with standardized sizes, e.g., PCMCIA standard sizes or standardcredit card sizes, and has round or elongated holes 260 for fixing thecard at pre-designated positions to initialize a data access operation.The holes 260 are fitted to the pins 190 to provide the self-centeringand locking functions. The data storage card 280 can therefore berepeatedly placed at a pre-designated position with reliable accuracy.The data card 180 is provided with a plurality of data tracks 270 forstoring data bit on each track. Each of these data tracks is formed assubstantially an arc or arc-segments track. The data tracks 270 aresubstantially of a same length and are substantially parallel to eachother. The data tracks 270 are formatted to include multiple sectors.One or several of these sectors can be flexibly employed to provideservo data for the purpose of identifying track locations to enhancesector seeking during a data-access operation. The servo-data areprovided in sectors near both ends of the arc or arc-segments datatracks 270 as shown in FIG. 2A. For the purpose of more preciselypositioning the data card 180 in a drive device, a notch 275 is formednear the inner end of the data card 180. With the notch 275, the datacard 180 is more conveniently placed into the drive device fitted to theinitial card position ready for operation relative to the position ofthe pickup head 150. The data card 180 is then covered by a protectivecoating 280 preventing damages from exposure to water, dust and otherforeign particles introduced through the daily operational environment.The data card 180 is then stored in a data card envelop 290 for storageand shipment. The data storage tracks of the data card may contain userapplication and system configuration data. The recorded data can beupdated in the field. Application system can either encrypt or decryptthe recorded data. Application system can also change the configurationsuch as set and reset the write protection, the password and otherfeatures related to the data-access operations.

[0042]FIGS. 2D to 2Q are top views of the data storage card 180 forshowing different configuration of the data tracks 270. The data tracks270-1 can be parallel arcs facing opposite directions on either side ofthe data card 180 as shown in FIG. 2D. Alternately, each of the datatracks 270-1 as parallel arc as that shown in FIG. 2D can be partitionedinto a plurality of arc-segment 270-2 as that shown in FIG. 2E. In asimilar manner, the data tracks can be parallel arcs 270-3 formed overthe entire data card area as that shown in FIG. 2F. Furthermore, each ofthe parallel arcs 270-3 of FIG. 2F can also be partitioned into aplurality of arc segments 270-4 as that shown in FIG. 2G.

[0043] According to FIGS. 1 to 2, this invention discloses a magnetic oroptical data-storage card. The magnetic or optical data-storage cardincludes a magnetic or optical data-storage medium layer supported onthe card. The data-storage medium layer includes a plurality of datastorage tracks for storing data therein. Each of the tracks comprisingat least an arc-segment wherein each of the data storage track beingsubstantially parallel to a neighboring track. In a preferredembodiment, each of the arc-segments are substantially of a same segmentlength. In a preferred embodiment, the data-storage tracks furtherstoring servo control data. In a preferred embodiment, the data-storagetracks further storing the servo-control data at a substantially samerelative position on the data-storage tracks. In another preferredembodiment, the data-storage tracks further storing the servo-controldata near edges of the data-storage card on the data-storage tracks. Inanother preferred embodiment, each of the data-storage tracks issubstantially a semicircular arc-segment. In another preferredembodiment, each of the data-storage tracks includes several arcsegments. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic or opticaldata-storage card further includes self-positioning guiding means forguiding the card to a loading position when inserted into a data carddrive device. In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic or opticaldata storage card having a first side and a second side and thedata-storage tracks are disposed on the first and second sides. Inanother preferred embodiment, the magnetic or optical data storagefurther includes a card jacket for storing the data storage card.

[0044] Furthermore, this invention provides a new method for storingdata in a magnetic or optical data-storage card. The method includes thesteps of a) providing a magnetic or optical data-storage medium layersupported on the data-storage card. And, b) forming in the data-storagemedium layer a plurality of data storage tracks for storing data thereinby forming each of the tracks to include at least an arc-segment andeach of the data storage tracks substantially parallel to a neighboringtrack. In a preferred embodiment, the step of forming the data-storagetracks as arc segments is a step of forming each of the arc segmentssubstantially of a same segment length. In another preferred embodiment,the method further includes a step of storing servo control data in thedata-storage tracks. In another preferred embodiment, the step ofstoring the servo-control data is a step of storing the servo-controldata at a substantially same relative position on the data-storagetracks. In another preferred embodiment, the step of storing theservo-control data is a step of storing the servo-control data nearedges of the data-storage card on the data-storage tracks. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the step of forming the data-storage to include atleast an arc segment is a step of forming each of the data-storagetracks substantially as a semicircular arc-segment. In another preferredembodiment, the step of forming the data-storage to include at least anarc segment is a step of forming each of the data-storage tracks toinclude several arc segments. In another preferred embodiment, themethod further includes a step of providing a self-positioning guidingmeans for guiding the magnetic or optical data-storage card to a loadingposition when inserted into a data card drive device. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the step of providing a magnetic or opticaldata-storage medium layer supported on the card is a step of providingthe magnetic or optical data storage card to include a first side and asecond side. And, the step of forming in the data-storage medium layer aplurality of data storage tracks is a step of forming the data-storagetracks on the first and second sides. In another preferred embodiment,the method further includes a step of providing a card jacket forstoring the data storage card.

[0045]FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a side view of a datacard storage rack 295 for storing a plurality of data card 180 therein.The data card storage rack 295 as shown can be formed as partitionedstorage box with each compartment ready to receive one data card 180.The data card storage rack 295 can function as a portable digital cameraalbum or a backup data store for long term data storage.

[0046]FIG. 4 shows a subsystem 300 of this invention that includes adata card drive device 310 identical with the drive device 100 describedabove according to FIGS. 1A to 1C. The disk drive device 310 performsthe data access tasks on a data storage card 320 identical to the datacard 180 described above according to FIGS. 2A to 2C. The subsystem 300further includes a local memory 330, which can be a DRAM or SRAM memorydevice connected to the disk drive device 310. The data stored in datacard 320 can be first down loaded to the memory device 330 through adata bus for data storage. The subsystem 300 further includes a functioncontrol panel 340 to allow a user to control the subsystem startup,shutdown, save, update, and duplication of the data stored in the card.The subsystem 300 is further provided with a connection terminal 350 forconnection to a personal computer, a printer, a scanner or otherperipheral devices for operation together with the drive devicesubsystem 300. A power supply 360 is employed and connected to thesubsystem 300 to provide power necessary for operating the drive device310, the memory 340 and the control panel 330.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C for examples to illustrate the servosignal patterns written onto the arc segments of the data-storage trackson a data storage card. FIG. 5A shows the data storage tracks as arcsegments, which may or may not be circular arcs. The servo writer mustwrite servo signals on these data-tracks. Referring to FIG. 5B, thesurface area of the magnetic or optical data-storage card is dividedinto zones A to F according to clockwise direction. The servo writershould be disabled for Zones A, B, D, and E since these zones are notpart of the data tracks. The servo writer must also be disabled in zoneE because the servo data may be overlapped and create confusions in theprocess of pickup head location and track determinations. It is obviousthe conventional servo writer and control mechanisms can no longer beemployed for the magnetic or optical data card drive system of thisinvention.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5A, the length of the data tracks depends on thesize and dimensions of the data card. Each data track is divided into Nsegments and each segment is provided to contain pre-defined servo data,prerecorded data and/or definitions of area for data records. FIG. 5C isan example of the data arrangements across the tracks of such segment.The total number of data tracks N is determined by the requirements ofthe accuracy of the mechanical and electrical responses. The servo datashown in FIG. 5C can provide the track profile, the location of thetrack and the relative location of signal pickup head to a data trackalong a track.

[0049] Referring to the details of data arrangement shown in FIG. 5C,the signals generated from data bit-patterns A and B are for positiondetermination. Each data track has a half data slots provided for A andhalf of the slots provided for B. The balance of A and B detected by thepickup head and the track location determination circuits provideindications that the pickup head is traveling in the center of the datatrack. Table 1 shows the data sample employed for providing servo datafor track and location determinations as the pickup head is travelingover the surface of the magnetic or optical data storage card. TABLE 1Example of Partial Servo Segment Data SYNC 1010101010101010 ADM1000000010000001 ST IDX 11 for First Segment 00 for other segments EDIDX 11 for last segment 00 for other segments A 0000001100000000 B0000000000000011

[0050] Referring to FIG. 5D, since the data track can only bearc-segments as that shown FIG. 5A, the servo writer must start and stopto layout patterns at pre-determined locations. An index is used as areference point at a fixed location on the magnetic or opticaldata-storage card. The starting point SX and the stopping position EX ofthe servo data are derived from the reference point IX as shown in FIG.5D. A servo control circuit is employed to enable and disable thepattern layout process and to move the magnetic or optical pickup headand the flat data-storage medium, i.e., the magnetic or optical datastorage card by using the feedback by detecting these three indices. Anexemplary functional block diagram for implementing the control logic inthe servo control circuit is shown in FIG. 5E.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 6 for a top view of the data storage card ofthis invention where one of the data tracks is arranged as a full circledata track for centering the data card and data signal calibration. Asthe pickup head moved above the data card to read the data from the fullcircle data track, an X-Y table that moves along horizontal directionsis controlled to position the data card at a center position relativethe circular movement of the pickup head. In the meantime, the data bitsstored in the full circle data-track are read to determine an averageamplitude of the data signals for data read from the entire full circledata track. The average amplitude of the data signal is then applied tocalibrate the data detection sensitivity of the pickup head.

[0052]FIG. 7A shows a top view of a locking mechanism for a pickup headengagement configuration. The handle 201 can be moved by either manuallyor a solenoid to push a linkage 203 shown in dotted lines to activatethe pickup head loading and unloading cam pair 204 and 205. Thepositions of the handle 201′ and the linkage 203′ in solid lines show anactivated state position. FIG. 7B shows a side view of lock 202 andstopper 206 that is part of X Y table slides. Once the linkage 203′ isat the activated position and the stopper 206 of the X-Y slider is movedaway from the lock 202, a spring 207 pushes the end of the lock 202 up.The other end of the lock 202 drops down and the linkage 203′ isprevented from a motion of sliding back. The linkage 203′ is releasedwhen the stopper 206 moves back to press down the spring end of the lock202 thus releasing the linkage 203′ from a locked position. The linkage203′ stays in a locked position to engage the pickup head until it isreleased and pushed back to a disengaged position 203.

[0053]FIG. 8 is a cross section view of a card insertion lock spring 301and card 302 with one corner cut 303. FIG. 8A shows top view of a card302 with its one corner diagonal cut 303. When the card 302 is insertedto the device, the corner 303 pushed the spring 301 up to 301′ positionand the card can be inserted continuously to its final location. It thewrong side of the card is inserted that has no such corner cut, the cardedge can not push the 301 upwards and the spring 301 prevents thecontinue insertion of card. This cutoff corner 303 of the data card 302prevents the insertion of card 302 with wrong edge in or an upside downside direction.

[0054]FIG. 9A is functional block diagram of a data card reader/writerof this invention. The data card reader/writer includes a host boardprovided with a reader/writer processor to control the operation anddata transfer functions. Attached to the host board are an USB connectorand an RS232 serial connector to connect to various informationappliances such as digital video camera, music player, etc. The datacard reader/writer further includes an IDE board and a USB board toprovide an IDE interface and a USB interface to operate with a personalcomputer (PC). The data card reader/writer has an option to operate withbatteries or AC power through a connection of a power connector. FIG. 9Bis a side view of a back panel for the data card reader/writer thatincludes a power connector to plug into an AC power. The data cardreader/writer further includes RS232 and two USB connectors forconnecting to information appliances and personal computer.

[0055] According to above descriptions, this invention discloses a flatdata storage medium that includes a plurality of substantially paralleldata arc-segments. The data arcs further include at least one fullcircle data track provided for obtaining a measurement of an averageamplitude of data signals over the full circle data track forcalibrating a pickup head implemented for reading data from the dataarc-segments. This invention further discloses a data storage system foraccessing data stored in a data storage medium. The data storage systemincludes dynamic head loading/unloading system that includes a handlefor pushing a linkage connected to the handle for loading and unloadingthe data storage medium to an engaged and disengaged positions relativeto a pickup head for accessing data disposed on the data storage medium.The dynamic head loading/unloading system further includes a lockingmeans for automatically locking the data storage medium inside the datastorage system when the linkage is disposed at an engaged position. Thedynamic head loading/unloading system further includes a data-storagemedium orientation-selection means for cooperating and adapting the datastorage medium inside the data storage system only when the data storagemedium is inserted into the data storage system in a predefinedorientation.

[0056] Therefore, the present invention discloses a data storage-carddrive system with a pickup head moving above the data-storage card inrotational movement. The data read-write functions are enabled only forarc-segments of the rotational movement guided by servo data written toservo sectors on the data arc with proper offsets. Also, the data tracksare arranged as plurality of parallel arcs, e.g., half-circles. At leastone special full circle data track is provided for convenientlydetermining a central axis of the data card and for obtaining ameasurement of average amplitude such that the above mentioneddifficulties and limitations encountered in a regular data card can beovercome. Specifically, a pickup head driven by a motor, e.g., abrushless motor, rotates over the data-storage card with the rotationaxis perpendicular to the card surface. The motor is mounted on acarriage for making horizontal movement along a longitudinal directionof the data card. An X-Y table is provided to move and position the cardon the center relative to the rotation of the pickup head. The data cardis formed with at least one full circle data track for convenientlycentering the data card. The full circle data track is formed with datafor the pickup head to obtain an average signal amplitude forcalibrating the amplitude of the data signal read from the data card.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described in terms of thepresently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that suchdisclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various alternationsand modifications will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in theart after reading the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended thatthe appended claims be interpreted as covering all alternations andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A plurality of substantially parallel data arc-segmentsdisposed on a flat data storage medium wherein: said data arcs furtherinclude at least one full circle data track provided with data forconveniently determining a central position of the data card in a datadrive system.
 2. A plurality of substantially parallel data arc-segmentsdisposed on a flat data storage medium wherein: said data arcs furtherinclude at least one full circle data track provided for obtaining ameasurement of an average amplitude of data signals over said fullcircle data track for calibrating a pickup head implemented for readingdata from said data arc-segments.
 3. A method for configuring a flatdata storage medium having a plurality of substantially parallel dataarc-segments comprising: forming at least one full circle data trackprovided with data for conveniently determining a central position ofsaid data card in a data drive system.
 4. A method for configuring aflat data storage medium having a plurality of substantially paralleldata arc-segments comprising: forming at least one full circle datatrack for obtaining a measurement of an average amplitude of datasignals over said full circle data track for calibrating a pickup headimplemented for reading data from said data arc-segments.
 5. A datastorage system for accessing data stored in a data storage mediumcomprising: a dynamic head loading/unloading system having a handle forpushing a linkage connected to said handle for loading and unloadingsaid data storage medium to an engaged and disengaged positions relativeto a pickup head for accessing data disposed on said data storagemedium.
 6. The data storage system of claim 5 wherein: said dynamic headloading/unloading system further comprising a locking means forautomatically locking said data storage medium inside said data storagesystem when said linkage is disposed at an engaged position.
 7. The datastorage system of claim 5 wherein: said dynamic head loading/unloadingsystem further comprising a data storage medium orientation-selectionmeans for cooperating and adapting said data storage medium inside saiddata storage system only when said data storage medium is inserted intosaid data storage system in a predefined orientation.
 8. The datastorage system of claim 5 further comprising: a rotating means forrotating said pickup head when said data storage medium is engaged tosaid pickup head.
 9. The data storage system of claim 6 wherein: saidlocking means further automatically unlocking said data storage mediumwhen said linkage is moved to a disengaged position
 10. The data storagesystem of claim 5 further comprising: an interface connection means foran universal system bus (USB) connection.
 11. The data storage system ofclaim 5 further comprising: an interface connection means for a RS-232connection.
 12. The data storage system of claim 5 further comprising: adirect-current (DC) power adapting means for connecting to a DC powersupply.
 13. The data storage system of claim 5 further comprising: adata-storage medium moving means for moving said data storage medium.14. The data storage system of claim 13 wherein: said data-storagemedium moving means further includes a data-storage medium rotationmeans for rotating said data storage medium.
 15. The data storage systemof claim 13 wherein: said data-storage medium moving means furtherincludes a data-storage medium linear-moving means for moving said datastorage medium along at least a linear direction.